Spring into Legislative and District Updates with Me! 🌺
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Here’s what we’ve been up to this past month! 🌼
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Hello 2024! 👋🏽
Happy 2024! ✨ I hope you had a restful and lovely holiday season with your loved ones. We kicked off the year by hosting our first office hours of the year, gearing up for the spring legislative session, and planning some exciting events. I’ll cover all of these highlights and more!
Before we dive into 2024, let’s recap 2023!
Image of a student completing the District 51 Budget worksheet
We concluded the first year of our Youth Advisory Council with a District 51 Community Budget. Students researched, advocated for, and finalized a budget to distribute $1,000 to six community based orgs!
Image of Represenative Syed alongside advocates of the Generic Drug Pricing Fairness Act
We passed the Generic Drug Pricing Fairness Act! HB 3957 prohibits price gouging of generic and off-patent drugs, making prescription drugs more affordable for Illinois consumers.
Image of Representative Syed alongside Comptroller Mendoza and Littly City Advocates holding a check
Community-based organizations and businesses were awarded more than $1,000,000 in grants!
$433,911: Little City
$131,858: Palatine Public Library
$540,956: Back to Business
We …
concluded the first year of our Youth Advisory Council with a District 51 Community Budget. Students researched, advocated for, and finalized a budget to distribute $1,000 to six community based orgs!
passed the Generic Drug Pricing Fairness Act! HB 3957 prohibits price gouging of generic and off-patent drugs, making prescription drugs more affordable for Illinois consumers.
awarded community-based organizations and businesses more than $1,000,000 in grants! Including
$433,911: Little City
$131,858: Palatine Public Library
$540,956: Back to Business
Our year in numbers …
130 Constituent Cases Completed
50 Events Hosted or Attended
29 House Bills Introduced
7 Bills Signed into Law
5 Committees served
1 New District Office Created
District Highlights and Upcomeing Events
For anyone hoping to visit us in person at our district office, we will be remote on Fridays until further notice. Our hours of operation are the following...
Monday-Friday 9 am - 5 pm
Available by email, phone, or in person visit Monday-Thursday
Available by email or phone on Fridays
If you would like to see our team in-person, but can't find a time that works for you, please be on the lookout for our October office hours and/or send us an email so we can find a time that works for you.
And finally, please join us on Thursday, October 12th at the Barrington Park District for a legislative update and for an opportunity to get your questions answered!
District Highlights
We partnered with Illinois Solar Education Association for a very successful Solar Energy Town Hall!
Thank you to the Illinois Solar Education Association for partnering on an informative session about everything solar energy!
The presentation, from a District 51 constituent and volunteer, broke down common misconceptions and laid out the process of switching to solar energy for households. In our discussions, we got to talk about specific concerns that audience members have when they think about converting to solar, and what the state can do to continue to make Illinois a place where going solar can be financially beneficial.
Thank you to all who were able to attend! Our Livestream is now posted on Facebook for those who missed it. And, catch the feature about the event from the Daily Herald! You can read the article here.
Constituents from across the district listen to a presentation on Solar Energy 09/19/23
Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce State of the State Breakfast was a success!
I got to sit down with State Senator Dan McConchie and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky to answer some questions about how we can support small businesses in our districts. Thank you to everyone who joined us!
The LZACC saw a full room of constituents at the Ela Area Public Library 09/22/23
Additional image of the legislators participating in the panel discussion 09/22/23
At the legislative breakfast, I got to share some good news for small businesses in the 51st!
Make it stand out
It was exciting to be a part of rolling out this grant opportunity, aimed at helping businesses that are still seeing the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have a small business and need support navigating resources, do not hesitate to reach out to our district office.
I also joined many of my colleagues for a panel discussion presented by the Hoffman Estates Chamber of Commerce
It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces and hear from community members what issues matter most to them.
We had a wonderful tour of Harper College with Dr. Proctor
Dr. Proctor and Rep Syed on Harper College's Campus
Thank you to Dr. Proctor, who led us through the cultural and health center, and taught us about some of the many programs that Harper has to offer.
And, thank you to all the Harper College faculty and staff who work tirelessly to provide our community with education and opportunities.
We welcomed the Henry County Farmers to the 51st District!
It was an honor to host Henry County Farmers in our district through the Adopt-a-Legislator program.
The program headed by The Illinois Farm Bureau aims to educate legislators about the state’s largest industry: agriculture! 🧑🌾 The goal is to educate members on the needs and concerns of rural and urban districts.
We visited the Palatine and Ela Historical Society to learn more about the history of our district. Afterwards, we headed over to the Hawthorn Woods Country Club for lunch, and a big thank you to Donna, the Village’s Chief Administrative Officer, who educated us about Hawthorn Woods.
I am grateful that people are committed to preserving the history of towns so we can get a glimpse of the past and learn about how much we have changed.
Congrats are in order...
To Nathan, who achieved the honor of the Eagle Scout Rank!
To Nathan, who achieved the honor of the Eagle Scout Rank!
—Nathan and Rep Syed at Nathan's Eagle Scout Court of Honor
And to Adlai E. Stephenson High School. They ranked 9th in the entire country for their public education!
—Rep Syed and Rep Didech presenting a certificate of congratulations to the School Board of Stevenson High School
From the Community
Join the community for a 5k to honor our local firefighters. Use the QR code to register!
Learn more about Harper Experience Day by visiting their website or scanning the QR code!
Elderworks October Food Drive
From the State 🏛️
Attn: Educators seeking field trip opportunities!
The Field Museum offers all Illinois school groups FREE admission to the museum with pre-registration! We hope this can be a resource for anyone seeking field trip educational opportunities for their students.
Learn more by visiting www.fieldmuseum.org/field-trips
IDHS launched a new Grants Administration Page
This page is meant to serve as a “one-stop shop” for all things grants-related. It includes the following resources:
Centralized resource for all available funding opportunities
Step-by-step instructions on how to get pre-qualified and how to request additional assistance (presentation, recording)
Grant application requirements and resources to complete them
Pre-award requirements/information (Internal Controls Questionnaire)
Post-award information/resources for establishing/complying with requirements (presentations/recordings/summaries)
Interactive Learning Management System to provide additional grant application/management training (how to build a budget, post-award requirements)
Additional tips and resources for the grant application process
This is what the page looks like:
The Treasurer's Office launches Illinois First Steps Program: $50 to help Illinois parents start saving for college
Treasurer Frerichs announced the launch of Illinois First Steps, the Illinois Children's Savings Account (CSA) Program designed to jump start college savings for new parents. This program, which was approved by the General Assembly in 2019 and funded in 2023, provides a $50 seed deposit to all Illinois parents with a child born or adopted on or after January 1, 2023.
To qualify for the $50 seed deposit, parents or legal guardians must be Illinois residents at the time of birth or adoption, the child must be born or adopted on or after Jan. 1, 2023, and the parent must open an Illinois Bright Start or Bright Directions 529 College Savings Account to claim the seed deposit before the child's 10th birthday.
Two new seniors only DMV centers are coming to the northwest suburbs
The new Skip-the-Line system that the Secretary of State's office implemented earlier this month has posed a few barriers to seniors. In light of this issue, the Secretary of State’s office launched two ‘Senior Only’ walk-in centers located in Evanston and Bridgeview!
The two facilities accept appointments, however, their goal is to prioritize walk-in services for seniors without impacting those with an existing appointment. This allows a barrier to be alleviated for seniors who may be facing issues creating appointments online when seeking DMV services.
That was a lot! Thank you for reading all the way through. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. Our office number is (773) 916-6553 and our email is info@repsyed.com.
With gratitude,
Nabeela
District office update (this one’s a long one!)
Summer is officially over, and before it gets too cold, I hope you're enjoying the nice fall weather as much as I am!
Before I get into some resources and upcoming community events, I want to share with you an important legislative update regarding the Aqua Illinois water disruption that occurred earlier this summer in portions of our district and invite you to a great event we're hosting with the Secretary of State's office.
We've had an exciting past couple of months, and we're looking forward to more progress as we round the corner to my first veto session coming up in October.
We filed HB4144 as a direct response to the Aqua Illinois water disruption crisis
Image of Daily Herald Article written about the filing of HB4144
Read the full article here.
We're partnering with the Secretary of State's Office to expand access to DMV services THIS Saturday!
Have you been putting off getting your Real ID? Do you need to renew your license? Or get a vehicle registration sticker? Please JOIN US at the Foglia YMCA on Saturday, September 30th from 10am to 2pm to get easy access to some DMV services. Check the list above for full services. Registration is strongly encouraged, and you can register at repnabeelasyed.org/mobileDMVreg.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to our Outreach Director, Pooja Rai, at pooja@repsyed.com if you have any questions or need assistance with registration.
District Office Hours Update
For anyone hoping to visit us in person at our district office, we will be remote on Fridays until further notice. Our hours of operation are the following...
Monday-Friday 9 am - 5 pm
Available by email, phone, or in person visit Monday-Thursday
Available by email or phone on Fridays
If you would like to see our team in-person, but can't find a time that works for you, please be on the lookout for our October office hours and/or send us an email so we can find a time that works for you.
And finally, please join us on Thursday, October 12th at the Barrington Park District for a legislative update and for an opportunity to get your questions answered!
District Highlights
We partnered with Illinois Solar Education Association for a very successful Solar Energy Town Hall!
Thank you to the Illinois Solar Education Association for partnering on an informative session about everything solar energy!
The presentation, from a District 51 constituent and volunteer, broke down common misconceptions and laid out the process of switching to solar energy for households. In our discussions, we got to talk about specific concerns that audience members have when they think about converting to solar, and what the state can do to continue to make Illinois a place where going solar can be financially beneficial.
Thank you to all who were able to attend! Our Livestream is now posted on Facebook for those who missed it. And, catch the feature about the event from the Daily Herald! You can read the article here.
Constituents from across the district listen to a presentation on Solar Energy 09/19/23
Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce State of the State Breakfast was a success!
I got to sit down with State Senator Dan McConchie and Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky to answer some questions about how we can support small businesses in our districts. Thank you to everyone who joined us!
The LZACC saw a full room of constituents at the Ela Area Public Library 09/22/23
Additional image of the legislators participating in the panel discussion 09/22/23
At the legislative breakfast, I got to share some good news for small businesses in the 51st!
Make it stand out
It was exciting to be a part of rolling out this grant opportunity, aimed at helping businesses that are still seeing the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have a small business and need support navigating resources, do not hesitate to reach out to our district office.
I also joined many of my colleagues for a panel discussion presented by the Hoffman Estates Chamber of Commerce
It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces and hear from community members what issues matter most to them.
We had a wonderful tour of Harper College with Dr. Proctor
Dr. Proctor and Rep Syed on Harper College's Campus
Thank you to Dr. Proctor, who led us through the cultural and health center, and taught us about some of the many programs that Harper has to offer.
And, thank you to all the Harper College faculty and staff who work tirelessly to provide our community with education and opportunities.
We welcomed the Henry County Farmers to the 51st District!
It was an honor to host Henry County Farmers in our district through the Adopt-a-Legislator program.
The program headed by The Illinois Farm Bureau aims to educate legislators about the state’s largest industry: agriculture! 🧑🌾 The goal is to educate members on the needs and concerns of rural and urban districts.
We visited the Palatine and Ela Historical Society to learn more about the history of our district. Afterwards, we headed over to the Hawthorn Woods Country Club for lunch, and a big thank you to Donna, the Village’s Chief Administrative Officer, who educated us about Hawthorn Woods.
I am grateful that people are committed to preserving the history of towns so we can get a glimpse of the past and learn about how much we have changed.
Congrats are in order...
To Nathan, who achieved the honor of the Eagle Scout Rank!
To Nathan, who achieved the honor of the Eagle Scout Rank!
—Nathan and Rep Syed at Nathan's Eagle Scout Court of Honor
And to Adlai E. Stephenson High School. They ranked 9th in the entire country for their public education!
—Rep Syed and Rep Didech presenting a certificate of congratulations to the School Board of Stevenson High School
From the Community
Join the community for a 5k to honor our local firefighters. Use the QR code to register!
Learn more about Harper Experience Day by visiting their website or scanning the QR code!
Elderworks October Food Drive
From the State 🏛️
Attn: Educators seeking field trip opportunities!
The Field Museum offers all Illinois school groups FREE admission to the museum with pre-registration! We hope this can be a resource for anyone seeking field trip educational opportunities for their students.
Learn more by visiting www.fieldmuseum.org/field-trips
IDHS launched a new Grants Administration Page
This page is meant to serve as a “one-stop shop” for all things grants-related. It includes the following resources:
Centralized resource for all available funding opportunities
Step-by-step instructions on how to get pre-qualified and how to request additional assistance (presentation, recording)
Grant application requirements and resources to complete them
Pre-award requirements/information (Internal Controls Questionnaire)
Post-award information/resources for establishing/complying with requirements (presentations/recordings/summaries)
Interactive Learning Management System to provide additional grant application/management training (how to build a budget, post-award requirements)
Additional tips and resources for the grant application process
This is what the page looks like:
The Treasurer's Office launches Illinois First Steps Program: $50 to help Illinois parents start saving for college
Treasurer Frerichs announced the launch of Illinois First Steps, the Illinois Children's Savings Account (CSA) Program designed to jump start college savings for new parents. This program, which was approved by the General Assembly in 2019 and funded in 2023, provides a $50 seed deposit to all Illinois parents with a child born or adopted on or after January 1, 2023.
To qualify for the $50 seed deposit, parents or legal guardians must be Illinois residents at the time of birth or adoption, the child must be born or adopted on or after Jan. 1, 2023, and the parent must open an Illinois Bright Start or Bright Directions 529 College Savings Account to claim the seed deposit before the child's 10th birthday.
Two new seniors only DMV centers are coming to the northwest suburbs
The new Skip-the-Line system that the Secretary of State's office implemented earlier this month has posed a few barriers to seniors. In light of this issue, the Secretary of State’s office launched two ‘Senior Only’ walk-in centers located in Evanston and Bridgeview!
The two facilities accept appointments, however, their goal is to prioritize walk-in services for seniors without impacting those with an existing appointment. This allows a barrier to be alleviated for seniors who may be facing issues creating appointments online when seeking DMV services.
That was a lot! Thank you for reading all the way through. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. Our office number is (773) 916-6553 and our email is info@repsyed.com.
With gratitude,
Nabeela
District Office Update!
Hi friend,
I hope everyone is staying cool and dry! I am excited to share with you some legislative updates, which are really a culmination of our efforts during session in the spring. Meanwhile, in the district office we welcomed two new interns, have been holding meetings with stakeholders in preparation for the 2024 legislative session, and are spending a lot of time getting to know what's going on in the district. I hope you enjoy some of my highlights from the past month, and that you're able to join the community in some upcoming events!
Exciting Legislative Updates📜
HB3957, Illinois Drug Pricing Fairness Act Becomes Law
For folks who were reading my legislative updates up to this point, you may know passing this bill was an important one for this district. It didn't come easy, but we've finally crossed the finish line as Governor Pritzker signed HB3957 into law on Friday.
Modern medical science has the capacity to help so many people overcome health problems that previously would have taken over their lives. In the endless pursuit of greater profits, pharmaceutical companies have comfortably stifled that capacity for years. As long as I represent this district in Springfield, making vital prescriptions easier to afford will be a priority.
I am so proud that I get to bring home a piece of legislation that I know will directly support folks that I've talked to in our district. This is only the beginning of my pursuit to make prescription drugs affordable.
HB2624, SB2337, and SB2419 Also Join Illinois Statute
The Court Term Accessibility Act, the License to Read Act, and the Gifted/AP Reporting bill were my very first bills that got signed into law!
Rep Syed taking a meeting in Springfield during session
District 51 Highlights from July
Youth Advisory Council Coming to a Close (for now!)
— Rep Syed and the YAC
In our last YAC meeting, our acting legislators met a strict deadline and passed a budget for the 51st District.
For the past few months, students in our Youth Advisory Council have been advocating for different community-based organizations that they are passionate about. After an hour of debating, $1,000 was distributed between six CBOs that have a direct impact on the district.
Acting Legislator Drawing Budget Plans—
I am so proud that we have such bright and passionate young minds who show up for causes they care about. We look forward to a celebratory last meeting (for now) in August.
Presenting a Certificate to our Retiring Firefighters
Rep Syed and retiring firefighter Robert "Bob" Kleinheinz 7/14/23
Robert “Bob” Kleinheinz is retiring from Lake Zurich's Fire Prevention Bureau after giving over 42 years of fire service dedication to the residents of the State of Illinois. Bob served in the Libertyville Fire Department for 30 years, the National Fire Sprinkler Association for a couple, and rounded out his career with the Lake Zurich Fire Department for the last ten years. Thank you, Bob, for your invaluable service.
We also send our deepest congratulations and appreciation to Ken Mogge, Eric Ryan, and Mike Wiltgen who have each served with the Lake Zurich Fire Department for 30 years as firefighters and paramedics.
They will all leave a lasting legacy of hard work and a legacy of a "whatever it takes" attitude to get the job done. Thank you for keeping our community safe!
All Saints Mobile Food Pantry
Volunteers of the All Saints mobile food pantry 7/11/23
We got a chance to see firsthand how the All Saints Food Pantry is making food available and accessible to our community. We were glad to join them to serve over 170 families in the community on July 11. They hold mobile pantries twice a week, every week, to ensure they meet community needs directly where they're at.
We look forward to celebrating their 100th mobile food pantry with them later in August!
Palatine Township Back to School Drive
—Rep Syed talking with students about our office and handing out stickers 7/20/23
Palatine Township hosted an amazing back-to-school supply pick-up for two days this July.
Donated Materials stocked and ready for families to receive—
Families came to receive their backpacks and school supplies, talk to community organizations to get more resources, and get haircuts and nails done before school starts!
A Very Proud Alum: Go Vikes!
Rep Syed and Fremd Principal, Mark Langer 07/19/23
Recently, Fremd High School joined 9 other high schools in Illinois that ranked in the top 50 public high schools nationally. As a proud alum, I was honored to visit Fremd to present a certificate of accomplishment from the House of Representatives for providing an outstanding education to so many students in the 51st District.
My former educators not only taught me the skills I need to accomplish what I set my mind to, but they also taught me what it means to be believed in and empowered. Investing in and supporting our youth is what will continue to set Illinois apart and make innovative leaders.
A Welcome Back to the US and a Senior Yoga Class
Pashmeena, our instructor and a District 51 constituent, led the senior yoga class we put on earlier this month in partnership with Elderworks. This was Pashmeena’s first yoga class back in the United States and we had a great time getting to know some active seniors in our district!
Celebrating Beginnings...
Breaking ground for a new Pace transportation facility in Schaumburg 7/19/23
Wallace Academy Ribbon Cutting 7/17/23
District 51 Upcoming Events
Join us at Unplugged Fest!
Unplug from your devices and plug into your community 🔌
Join us at Unplugged Fest on Sunday, August 6th from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm at Paulus Park in Lake Zurich to reconnect with neighbors and community organizations in a no-phone zone.
Better Together Back to School Resource Fair
Partners for our Communities (POC) is hosting a community resource fair on Tuesday, August 8th at Falcon Park in Palatine where residents can pick up backpacks prepared with supplies and learn about what services exist through local organizations.
POC is still looking for donors for the following supplies:
🖍️ 350 crayons
📓 300 spiral notebooks
✏️ 250 colored pencils.
If you are able to donate supplies, please drop them at the Community Resource Center located at 1585 Rand Road, Palatine.
From the Community
Greener Good is a community-based organization in Palatine that collects, organizes, and creativly redistributes reusable materials. They are holding a supply drive for teachers! 🍎
Visit their website at greener-good.org if you would like to participate as an educator, volunteer, or donor/sponsor. Move quickly, because the action is happening this week! 📚
BACOG's Annual Private Well Water Testing Event
Households with private wells are advised to test for bacteria and nitrates on an annual basis to detect invisible, odorless contaminants. Bacteria and nitrates can result from animal, insect or human waste or fertilizers reaching the well water and can cause illness in humans. This is event is an opportunity to test your water to ensure it does not contain any of these contaminants.
Purchase water testing kits from October 2 - 10 at the following Village/Township Offices during regular business hours.
Participating Village/Townships:
-BACOG Office
-Barrington Hills Village Hall
-Barrington Township Office
-Deer Park Village Hall
-Lake Barrington Village Hall
-South Barrington Village Hall
-Tower Lakes Village Hall
Then, drop off your water sample kits on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 11:00am - 6:30pm at The Barrington Area Library.
Several Community Partners will be there with information and takeaways, including the Lake County Health Department Staff, who will be available to residents for water testing questions.
Join the Elderwerks’s Expo on Wednesday, August 9th at the Stonegate Banquet and Conference Center in Hoffman Estates.
There will be free classes and local community groups will be present to talk about how their services may be helpful to you. This is a great expo for folks who are interested in planning retirement for themselves or for a family member.
Birth to Five Action Councils
Birth to Five is an organization that works throughout the State to make early education affordable and accessible. If you're interested in getting involved, consider joining one of the action councils.
Learn more about Birth to Five by visiting their website.
Disability Lead is recruiting positive disruptors. If you're a person with a disability and are interested in being a future leader, learn more and apply on their website: DisabilityLead.org/apply.
From the State 🏛️
— Grant Opportunities —
Small Businesses
Learn more about the Cook County Small Business Source Grant on their website here.
Workforce Development
Illinois Works Pre-apprenticeship Program (Website)
Community-based organizations can apply to receive grants to set up programs that will provide women, veterans, and people of color with pre-apprenticeship training.
The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will be hosting webinars to answer questions and help organizations that are interested in applying. Register Here.
Individuals considering enrollment in pre-apprenticeship training should fill out the interest form here.
Illinois Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program or “CEJA Workforce Hubs” (Website)
The CEJA Workforce Hubs will align with the needs of clean energy employers and provide students with nationally recognized certifications. The hubs will be located in Alton, Aurora, Carbondale, Champaign, Chicago (South Side), Chicago (Southwest and West Sides), Danville, Decatur, East St. Louis, Joliet, Peoria, Rockford and Waukegan.
Federal Support Grant Program
Allows businesses and organizations seeking federal grants to submit an application with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to have part of their match covered by state dollars. Learn more and apply here.
New GATA help desk through the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
This is aimed to help nonprofits and local governments with GATA pre-qualification and audit issues.
Email CEO.GrantHelp@illinois.gov with your inquiry and, if possible, your GATA ID.
More grants can be found on the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Website: dceo.illinois.gov.
— A Change to DMV Operations —
Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias will implement the Skip-the-Line program on September 1, 2023.
Appointments
All Chicago and suburban locations and select central and downstate DMVs will require an appointment for REAL IDs, driver’s licenses and ID card services, and in-car driving tests.
These DMVs will continue to NOT require appointments for vehicle-related services (titles, registrations or license plate renewals.)
Extending Hours
SoS is also extending hours of operation:
-Select facilities will be open six days a week – Monday through Saturday
-All DMVs will have hours of operation from Mon-Fri, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
-16 DMVs will be open on Saturday, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
You can visit ilsos.gov or call (844) 817-4649 to schedule an appointment, find location information, and take advantage of many online services, including renewals of driver’s licenses, ID cards, and plate stickers which may not require an in-person visit.
— Pause of Student Loan Payment ENDS in September —
Interest rates on all federal student loans will start accruing on September 1 with payments starting October 1.
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) and the University of Illinois system are providing free webinars focused on return to repayment. If you're interested, please register here: https://go.uillinois.edu/repay.
— Medicaid Renewals Continue —
Did you know?
You can check your Medicaid renewal date by phone just like SNAP card benefits by calling 1(800) 843-6154.
You will need to know your RIN (Recipient Identification Number). This number can be found on your HFS medical card or Managed Care Plan insurance card. This number is unique to you, and it can also be found in Manage My Case.
Visit the IDHFS website for more FAQs.
Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. Our office number is (773) 916-6553 and our email is info@repsyed.com.
With gratitude,
Nabeela
Summer is Starting in the 51st!
Hi Neighbor,
I hope you're enjoying the first couple days of summer! Since being back in District 51, I've been having fun getting back on my scooter and chatting with folks about what our office does and how we may be able to support the community. I've also been able to spend some more time with young folks in the community, learning what legislative ideas they have and connecting them with my colleagues. Stepping into summer has been a great time to learn more about the district's needs, which will help us shape our legislative agenda for next year.
I wish you a very happy and celebratory Independence Day weekend! I hope to see you at the doors, at Palatine Hometown Fest this weekend, or in Hawthorn Woods on July 4!
Youth Advisory Council, where students have been presenting legislative ideas they care about and working on a participatory budget of 1k for local communities!
Scooter charged up and went door to door to pass out our newsletter and invite folks to our upcoming events!
A big congratulations to Ela Public Library on their 50th anniversary this week 🎉
We are so proud to have a resource rich library in our district, and a special thank you to all of our library staff who are dedicated to making Ela Library a pillar of our community. As a token of our appreciation, my office presented Ela Public Library with a certificate from the Illinois House of Representatives.
Fun Fact: The library is named after George Ela who was one of the first settlers in the Palatine Township area and served in the Illinois House of Representative in the late 1840s.
Check out some behind-the-scenes photos from when I was in Springfield, which I haven't gotten the chance to share with you yet. Take a look at some of my favorites, and shout out to our photographer, Scott, for capturing these moments!
Nabeela on the House Floor
Nabeela with Budgeteer Jehan Gordon-Booth
A selfie on the House Floor with colleagues Rep Canty, Rep Chung, Rep Stava-Murray and Rep Guzzardi
Please help me spread the word: our second internship cycle is open now! Interested candidates, we are accepting applicants through July 5th. Find the application on our website at repnabeelasyed.org/intern-program and let us know if you have any questions!
District 51 Upcoming Events
Seniors in our community – join us for a fitness class on Friday, July 7th from 11:00 am - 12:30 pm at the Elderwerks office located at 251 E. Northwest Hwy, Palatine, IL 🧘 Register here!
Please join us on Sunday, July 23rd from 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm for a shredding and electronic recycling event with Senator Johnson, Representative Didech, and Lake Country Treasurer Holly Kim. Bring that scrap paper you've been holding onto and those old electronics for a fun, community-based summer event!
Resources
Help Palatine Township collect Back to School Supplies. Monetary donations are also needed and encouraged! The event takes place July 21st and 22nd, and we will be at Palatine Township on Thursday the 21st to help out and share our office's resources.
Looking for food assistance or help with SNAP applications? Follow the instructions in the flyer below.
The Northern Illinois Food Bank offers mobile markets, which are set up at different sites where neighbors can receive free groceries on a first come first serve basis.
If you reside in Lake County, reach out if you're interested, and we can see if we can connect you to a mobile market near you.
From the Community
Organization Spotlight:
Palatine Cool Cities does fantastic work in the Palatine area and throughout the state to educate community members and make real changes to build a sustainable world. They've taken on the urgent need to change the way we are consuming and disposing of our natural resources, and have helped our community look out for the environment and our futures.
Palatine Cool Cities hosts educational speaker series at the Palatine Public Library, hosts events like their "hard to recycle" plastics event also at the library, and spearheads initiatives to make our larger community events more eco-friendly. They have played an integral role in teaching us about the harm of single-use plastic and ways that we can alter our habits to preserve our environment.
If you're interested in volunteering with Palatine Cool Cities and learning more about their organization, you can fill out their volunteer form here.
Follow them on Facebook and Instagram!
Interested in making cards to brighten a senior’s day?
Make it stand out
Reserve a card-making kit by July 20th by calling 847-462-0885 and stop by the Elderwerks Center at 251 E. Northwest Hwy Palatine, IL in the Palatine Plaza to pick it up! Cards collected for Elderwerks 'Make A Senior Smile' program will be dropped off to local senior communities with assistance from our office!
Looking for a job at a community organization?
Make it stand out
Mano A Mano, a family resource center in Lake County, is hiring!
Check out opportunities on their website to see if they may be a good fit for you.
Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. Our office number is (773) 916-6553 and our email is info@repsyed.com.
With gratitude,
Nabeela
End of session legislative update, townhall & more!
I'm finally back home in the 51st District for the next few months! We adjourned this past weekend and I'm so pleased to give you an update on some of our accomplishments from my first legislative session.
But first, I want to invite you to my End of Session Town hall on Monday, June 12th at 6:00 pm to learn more about what we accomplished this session, and the work that is still ahead of us. This is a great opportunity to share your opinions with me and ask any questions you may have.
End of Session Legislative Update
On My Bills 📜
My first spring session yielded a lot of great progress for our community. Here are some of my highlights:
With bipartisan support, the Generic Drug Pricing Fairness Act is headed to the Governor’s desk!
This bill protects Illinois consumers from skyrocketing prescription costs by banning price gouging of generic and off-patent drugs. I know from conversations I've had with you in the 51st District that the stress of affording your next prescription is constant. This bill can alleviate a part of that stress for folks who need generic medications, knowing that your prescription costs cannot triple overnight.
We've had so many legislative victories in Illinois! Here are some bills that I was proud to co-sponsor and support:
House Bill 218 – Holds the gun industry liable for the marketing and distribution of unlawful weapons that interfere with public safety.
House Bill 2296 – Allows the Department of Insurance to reject or modify unreasonable health insurance rate increases.
House Bill 2245 – Requires the Cook County Sheriff to establish a stolen car recovery hotline in coordination with other law enforcement agencies and car manufacturers in order to assist investigations of carjacking, stolen cars, and kidnappings.
House Bill 2507– Expands property tax exemptions for veterans.
My bill that would allow 16-year-olds to pre-register to vote also passed the legislature as part of an elections omnibus package. That means when they turn 18, they'll be registered and ready to cast their ballot!
From the Senate, I carried a bill through to the Governor’s desk that gives the State Librarian the power to negotiate with publishers of e-books and audiobooks on behalf of all Illinois’s libraries, helping to free up money and time for librarians to invest in community programming.
The current high rates benefit big corporations as they take advantage of local libraries by imposing unnecessary fees and short-term contracts.The goal is to save libraries money that can be better spent on community programming and other needs.
In the midst of regressive reproductive healthcare legislation being passed across our country, I am so grateful to be a part of a legislature that tirelessly fights for women's healthcare. I have been proud to put my support behind measures to guarantee access to emergency contraception on public college campuses, cut costs for lifesaving reproductive health medications and protect patients who are exercising their right to choose from out-of-state investigations.
On the Budget
I was thrilled to work with my colleagues to pass a fiscally responsible budget that prioritizes early education and invests in our K-12 public schools. A $250 million investment in Smart Start, which provides childcare and early childhood education, will lend a hand to working parents while evening the playing field for kids from underserved communities.
103rd General Assembly Leadership Team
We've made progress on supporting Direct Support Professionals in this budget, but we still have a long way to go.
Learn more about why we must continue to fight for funding for people with disabilities in my recent Op-Ed in Chicago Sun-Times here: Illinois must provide more funding for people with disabilities.
And check out my recent City Cast Chicago interview where I reflect on my first session in office.
From the Community
Join me at this event. You can still sign up and walk with me for a great cause!
Updates & Opportunities from the State
Cream of the Crop Photo Contest
The Treasurer’s Office is accepting electronic submissions for the Cream of the Crop Photo Contest. This is a great opportunity for to showcase their most innovative or scenic pictures that depict their vision of agriculture in our state. Winning photos will be featured in Ag Invest marketing material and next year’s Cream of the Crop calendar, as well as at the 2023 Illinois State Fair.
Top photographs will be chosen in three age-based categories: ages 8‑10, 11‑14 and 15-18. The deadline to apply is June 12, 2023!
Apply and learn more at www.CreamoftheCropContest.com.
Grant Opportunities
Federal Support Grant Program
Nonprofits, educational institutions, local governments, and businesses seeking federal grants that align with the State’s economic development objectives can apply for this grant to have the State cover a part of the match. Applicants can apply for this program while they are preparing an application for a federal grant.
Application and more information can be found HERE.
Blue Collar Jobs Act
Provides tax credits for construction wages for businesses that are participating in an existing incentive program like EDGE or located in an Enterprise Zone.
This program is now active, and you can learn more HERE. You can sign up for the upcoming webinar HERE.
New Opportunity, Application Closes Soon: Girls Lead Program
The Office of Lieutenant Governor and the Illinois Council on Women and Girls are launching the ‘Girls Lead Program’ which will give girls the opportunity to shadow members of the General Assembly.
This program will emphasize the importance of teamwork and conflict resolution skills while giving girls the opportunity to explore their interest in a career in public service.
Applications are due Saturday, June 10th! Visit bit.ly/GirlsLeadIL to apply.
Reminder and Resources: Medicaid Redeterminations
If you are a Medicaid recipient and you received a letter in the mail this May, then you need to send in your redeterminations by June 1, 2023.
The soonest you can lose your coverage is July 1st, 2023. If you do not send in your form or renew online before your deadline, you can still do so before your coverage gets cut off.
To redetermine, you can either fill out the form you received in the mail by hand and send it back to the address provided via mail OR you can redetermine online at abe.illinois.gov. Once you get logged into your portal, click 'Renew My Benefits' in your 'Case Summary' tab and follow the prompts.
If you aren't sure when your due date is, you can check under the 'Benefit Details' tab of your online portal. Note that if your due date is July 1 or later, the 'Renew My Benefits' option may not be available to you yet. You should expect to be able to renew your benefits about a month before your due date.
Please contact our office if you are in need of assistance
Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. Our office number is (773) 916-6553 and our email is info@repsyed.com.
With gratitude,
Nabeela
Updates from Springfield, District 51, and the state!
Hi friend,
It's been a while since I last updated you, so this is going to be a long newsletter. But bear with me, there's some important stuff in here you're going to want to see!
Since my last newsletter, we've had our legislative Spring Break and are now back in Springfield for our final stretch of session. During Spring Break, we spent some time touring our district and getting to know our schools and businesses better. We've been promoting the Back to Business Grant (more information below!), collecting donations for our donation drive, and getting a taste of what summer festivities will have in store for us! Before we adjourn for the summer, scheduled for May 19th, we've got a lot to finish up in Springfield.
Here's a little update about what's going on in Springfield, District 51, and in the state.
🏛️ Springfield 🏛️
My bill to protect patients from prescription drug price gouging passed the House!
HB3957 would allow the Attorney General's office to prosecute instances of price gouging in low-competition markets for generic and off-patent prescription drugs. Getting this bill out of the House and onto the Senate was riddled with barriers, extensions, and a lot of patience. I never gave up on this bill because we know that lifesaving medication is only lifesaving to those that can afford it. This was one of the concerns I heard most at the doors.
We've had lots of bills come from the Senate to the House. Here are a couple of the bills I'm carrying and what they do...
SB1653 establishes a "low clearance early warning device pilot program" to figure out what device works best to prevent crashes into bridges and viaducts. Once we figure out what device works best, we can prevent future crashes and infrastructure problems. District 51's own Robert Parker Coffin Bridge in Long Grove has seen 45 crashes since 2020. This is why I decided to carry this bill through the House. SB1653 passed through committee, and will be called on the House floor soon! In committee, I was questioned about whether or not I'd ever driven an oversized vehicle. I hadn't of course... because you need a special license, a Commercial Drivers License, to do so. But, Deputy Chief Baker of the Palatine Police Department was kind enough to take me on a ride along and teach me about truck safety. Thank you, Deputy Chief Baker!
SB2419 creates the License to Read Act, which gives the State Librarian the power to negotiate the prices of e-books and audiobooks with publishers on behalf of Illinois libraries. It also creates a grant program that libraries can use to pay for digital licenses. I’m thrilled to announce that I passed SB2419 through committee last week! Talking with librarians in the 51st earlier this year inspired me to advocate for ways to cut costs for our public libraries so that their money can be spent on other programs and initiatives for the community. So, I was so excited to take over this bill from Senator Murphy and I look forward to seeing it all the way through.
We have a very busy couple of weeks ahead where we will vote on the rest of the Senate Bills, discuss bills that have been amended in the Senate and need to be voted on again in the House, and finally, pass our FY '24 budget. I sense some late nights ahead!
In the District
In Palatine last Friday, we attended a beautiful Arbor Day ceremony, an annual tradition by the Palatine Park District and Village of Palatine. I got to meet Sammie the Squirrel for the first time!
Then, on Saturday, we celebrated Arbor Day with the Village of Lake Zurich in Paulus Park by planting a tree and cleaning up local parks.
Help us make cards for seniors during the month of May!
This week, we secured 500+ card-makers in our community. If you are part of an organization, community, or school that would like to help us complete more cards during the month of May, please contact us and we'll deliver materials!
Collecting donations for the Palatine community
We are still collecting food pantry items and menstrual products at our district office located at 830 W Northwest Highway, Suite 9 in Palatine for All Saints Food Pantry and Partners for Our Communities. Please consider donating if you're able and spread the word!
Visit a museum in Illinois museum for FREE!
Our office has a museum pass that we can share with the 51st District. Click on the button below to submit a request and coordinate a time to visit participating museums for free!
Important Updates from the State
Make it stand out
'Back to Business' $175 Million Grant is CLOSING May 10th, but there is still time to apply!
We want to get YOU back to business – but the application portal is closing soon, on May 10th. The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has $175 Million dollars to award to hotels, restaurants, and creative arts organizations established before March 12, 2020. If you qualify, you should receive an award– so apply now! Click here for eligibility requirements and contact information for community navigators ready to assist you with your application.
Medicaid Redeterminations
Here's the deal...
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the requirement for Medicaid recipients to redetermine their benefits was waived. Now that the public health emergency is ending, folks will need to redetermine their eligibility again. The first wave of Medicaid redetermination letters was sent out THIS WEEK. We need all hands on deck to make sure everyone follows to steps below to ensure they send in their redetermination letters. Our office is here to help if you need assistance or information, so do not hesitate to reach out.
If you have Medicaid...
Click Manage My Case at abe.illinois.gov to:
1. Verify your mailing address under “Contact Us.”
2. Find your due date (the “redetermination” date) in your "Benefit Details."
Watch your mail and complete your renewal right away.
If you are no longer eligible for Medicaid, connect to coverage at work or through the official Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace for Illinois, GetCoveredIllinois.gov.
Call 1-800-843-6154 for help with your renewal.
If you assist people with Medicaid...
Please reach out to our office for additional information or support. We can help get connected to IDHFS if you have any questions.
Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. Our office number is (773) 916-6553 and our email is info@repsyed.com.
With gratitude,
Nabeela
Legislative Update
For the past two months, I’ve been splitting my time between Springfield and 51st District. Last week was especially long but exciting! We had a deadline to get the bills we proposed voted on the House floor. Here are updates on the bills I've been working on...
🏛️ Springfield 🏛️
An addition to Individualized Education Programs (IEPs): HB3643
This bill says that when an Individualized Education Program is created for a student with a disability who is 17 years old or older, voter registration should be considered as an appropriate goal.
As my very first bill to pass on the House Floor and head over to the Senate, this bill is important for Illinois because it tells students with disabilities that their voice matters, and their vote matters.
Cleaning up some court language: HB2624
This piece of legislation will allow more people to defend themselves in our court system by getting access to their own court documents and records.
Here's an example of why this bill is necessary: Back in 2020, the Governor ordered all eviction cases to be sealed to help support tenants who were more likely to face evictions due to financial hardships facilitated by the pandemic. This was a great initiative but because of unclear definitions, clerks ended up being unable to give tenants access to their own eviction cases. The order created an additional barrier for people navigating the legal system when the intent of the law was just the opposite. Clarifying the intent of “sealed” was the solution to this problem, and now we are doing the same thing, but on a wider scale.
Senior Property Tax Freeze Exemption income increase: HB2629
Property taxes are rising, and in District 51, our population is aging. After paying into the tax system for years, I want to help make sure that seniors on fixed incomes stay in their homes, and age where they see fit. It's for this reason that I introduced a bill this year, HB2629, that would increase the minimum freeze income level from 65k a year to 85k a year. This will help more folks qualify, and increase the chance that seniors will be able to afford to stay in their homes.
Protecting patients from price gouging: HB3957
HB3957 is a bill that would prevent manufacturers who are setting prices in a market that does not naturally keep prices reasonable for off-patent and generic prescription drugs. In addition to increased property taxes and inflation, the gouged prices of prescription drugs add to the burdensome cost of living. It's for this reason that I want to give the state of Illinois power to moderate prices in scenarios of clear exploitation. I am excited to continue to advocate for the necessity and importance of bills like this one.
Providing paid leave for organ donors: HB3516
Organ donation is near and dear to my heart. As an organ donor, I have first-hand experience of how brutal the recovery process can be, but also how beautiful it is to know that you were able to save a life. More people should be given the option to give because that means more people get the option to live. This bill gives organ donors 10 days paid leave and bone marrow donors 5 days paid leave, making organ donation more feasible for more folks. HB3516 has passed on the House Floor and has moved onto the Senate!
How else do I support important legislation?
When my colleagues are carrying bills that I believe are important, I can also hop on as a "co-sponsor" to show my support and advocate for the bill to get it across the finish line. Here are some good pieces of legislation that thrilled me so much that I decided to co-sponsor...
Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. Our office number is (773) 916-6553 and our email is info@repsyed.com.
With Gratitude,
Nabeela
Internships, ICash, and more!
Good morning, folks. I'm coming to you with a few updates from Springfield and the 51st.
(But first...) Happy Women’s History Month!
In the State of Illinois, women have, time and time again, made significant contributions to history. I’m grateful to serve among some of these incredible history-makers, including our very own Comptroller Susana Mendoza. Comptroller Mendoza is the first Hispanic independently elected to statewide office in Illinois and made history with her election.
📢 Springfield
This week we dove deeper into our proposed legislation, and I advocated for the legislation I've been working on to be called into committee. One of these bills ensures 10 days of paid leave for all organ donors to recover, making it easier for folks to donate their organs and embark on a life-saving act. I am also working on making it legal for 16-year-olds to pre-register to vote because research shows that we can increase young people's voter turnout when they have the opportunity to pre-register. I am excited about a bill that will increase access to the civil judiciary system for folks, simply by ensuring that past statutes follow language already defined by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2021. I'm looking forward to next week, when we will begin to hear bills like these in committees.
📄 My committees
Speaking of committees... this General Assembly, I will be on the Health and Human Services Appropriations Committee, the Child Care Access and Early Childhood Committee, the Cities and Villages Committee, The Economic Opportunity and Equity Committee, and the Prescription Drug Affordability Committee. I believe these assignments will position me well to be able to focus on the issues that I know District 51 cares about most.
📄 In the District
Here in the 51st District, we had our first Youth Advisory Council meeting! Young people from all across the district came out to join us at Ela Public Library.
In the first session of our Youth Advisory Council, students gave me their honest opinion about some of the legislation I have presented. A couple students from Lake Zurich High School even presented us with bill ideas to require EKG testing to a part of physicals for student-athletes. We are excited to not only get young minds involved, but having young minds be the root and the ground as we continue to build legislative agendas for the next session.
📢 Help spread the word: we're hiring!
We are looking for interns to join us in our District Office! The internship will be from March 20, 2023 through June 2, 2023.
Go to our website to read the descriptions and apply!
https://www.repnabeelasyed.org/intern-program
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We're working with the Treasurer's office to get people's property back in their hands. Many people do not know that they have unclaimed property, and we want to help you get your hands on it! Please look up your name on the treasurer's website to see if you have unclaimed property. Either file a claim right then or give us a call and we can assist you through the process.
📢 Scholarship Opportunity for Students
Illinois DCFS is offering scholarships to students who are currently or have formerly been in care. Please visit illinois.gov to learn more.
Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns. Our office number is (773) 916-6553 and our email is info@repsyed.com.
With gratitude,
Nabeela
A picture of Representative Nabeela Syed with Comptroller Suzana Mendoza.
Our first Youth Advisory Council, February 27, 2023
Filed bills, district updates, and more!
Welcome to the very first edition of our District Newsletter! As a District Office, it's our priority to keep you updated and informed on the work we are doing in the 51st District and down in Springfield, events happening in the district, and more.
I'm excited to share with you everything we've been up to since I was officially sworn-in.
📝 I filed my first bill!
The first bill I filed will expand voting rights by lengthening the time new voters have to register. Instead of limiting kids to less than a year prior to turning 18 to register to vote, they will be able to register as soon they turn 16. By encouraging thousands of young voters to join the electoral process, we will strengthen our democratic institutions and a greater swath of our community will join us at the ballot box. Vigorous election turnout stands at the heart of a better future for all Illinoisans.
📄 Other bills I'm working on...
There are many bills that I'm working on, including bills that are going to allow for more fair generic drug pricing, a tax credit for employers so they can support employees that are donating an organ, new property tax exemptions, and protecting small businesses from lucrative lenders. My work for voting rights also includes measures to help voters with disabilities have their voices heard in our democracy.
This session will be a busy one, but the work we're doing now is to make sure our community will have a stronger future ahead once it’s over.
📄 In the District
When I head back to the district in between session, I've had the opportunity to continue to meet with advocates, join community meetings, and help plan out district office events. Successfully, we held our first event rooted in two of our office's favorite things: maintaining accessibility to our constituents and lots of caffeine! Constituents came out to voice their concerns and we all got to support our local businesses.
Thank you to Long Grove Coffee Co, Stompin' Grounds Cafe in LZ, Sweet C's bakery in Palatine, and Coquelicot Cafe also in Palatine. Cecilia from Sweet C's even surprised us in the sweetest way, by making signature cookies. Thank you Cecilia!
With Gratitude,
Nabeela